Home!

We have safely made it back to Holland. Our vacation in FL was very fun, very busy, and also very enlightening. It's good to be home. As they say, there's no place like home!

The Lord was good to us. We headed up to Atlanta on Tuesday morning. It was stormy throughout the night and on into the morning. Branches fell around/on the house, which was kinda scary. We were concerned because there were flash flood alerts all the way from Panama City, FL to Atlanta, GA. As soon as we opened the front door to start loading suitcases into the suburban the rain stopped and it didn't rain at all during the rest of the trip. The weather was fine! Thank you all for praying!

Russell and Aaron drove with us to the airport. It was a long and tiring drive, but we ate dinner at Cracker Barrel. Yummy! That is one restaurant I love! It was hard saying goodbye to Aaron, and especially Russell. I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but I did anyway as we walked beyond sight of each other. It's hard to turn your back and walk away from people who are so dear to your heart. Russell had a hard time saying goodbye in July, but I think it was easier on him this time. So far it has been the other way around for me. One thing I have noticed is that we are never down at the same time. It's like the Bible says, "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." (Ecc. 4:9-10)

On the flight from Georgia we had quite a bit of turbulence. I was very glad when we landed on solid ground. We had a layover in England, which made the trip seem extra long. A layover doesn't seem bad when it's at the beginning of a trip rather than at the end. As far as my family is concerned, this is my last trip into Holland with them. Lord willing, I will have Russell by my side the next time I fly into Amsterdam. What a strange and delightful thought! Once we arrived in Amsterdam we discovered that one of our totes was lost along the way. Thankfully we got it back this morning. Mr. Kamps and Josh met us at the airport and brought us home where the Kamps ladies surprised us as we entered our door. They are so sweet to have cleaned the house and made us dinner. Thank God for caring friends!

Dad is thrilled to be back in the ministry, doing what he loves best. His heart is here in Holland, which was very evident while we were in FL. Dad was sad but now he is glad...and now I am in mourning because I am away from my ministry. Maybe you're thinking, Hannah has a ministry? Yes! I have a ministry...to my husband. This trip proved several things to me, but this is the most important: Before we left Holland it really was not in my heart to leave my family and the country where I have spent more than half my life. Now I can honestly say that I am feeling ready to let go of the familiar and become Russell's wife. The next 4 months are going to be a breaking away period. I'm getting ready to make my own home and my own life. My parents' ministry is theirs and no longer my own, though I am still play my role until my marriage. I am so thankful for my parents and their understanding love...the kind of love that lets go. Love that is true is never passive. Love is active! Just like there is a love that holds one close, there is a love that knows when to let go. This is the kind of love referred to in Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:7, and Ephesians 5:31 when the Bible talks about a man leaving his father and mother and cleaving to his wife. Two of those verses mention "one flesh." Though Russell and I aren't married yet, it is becoming evident to me that the Lord is melting the two of us into one. My heart belongs to Russell, and where he is is where my home is. I am realizing now more than ever that home isn't a place or a building, it isn't things, and it isn't affected by surrounding circumstances, whether good or bad. Home is people...a special person who invites you to make your dwelling there. I am thankful for the valuable things I have learned during this trip to FL. I know that God does all things well. He has a special purpose and plan in everything, even when I don't understand and it hurts. The Lord has something bigger going...bigger than I can see or comprehend. He looks to the future while I only see the present dimly. I know that God does all things well. "He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness." That is a precious promise. God knows. I don't know...but He does. And as long as He knows, everything will be okay. Praise the Lord! =)

Well, that's enough rambling for now. Thank you all for your prayers. Lord bless!